Just days after Rivian began production of the R1T electric pickup, yet another challenger is on the way. Ford has begun pre-production of the F-150 Lightning just a few days ago. The electric pickup was revealed for the first time earlier this summer promising a top range of up to 300 miles with an output up to 563 hp, as well as mid-four-second launches from 0-60 mph.

The F-150 Lightning will start at $39,974 when deliveries begin next spring.

In fact, Ford recently indicated that it intends to double F-150 Lightning production from 40,000 units to 80,000 a year, after reservations for the truck had surpassed 150,000. The automaker plans to add 450 direct jobs to the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center as well as two other supporting facilities to cope with the increase, in addition to a $250 million investment.

“We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles. So we are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.”

The pre-production trucks rolling out of the factory are headed for real-world testing ahead of the start of series production in a few months, just as interest in electric pickups appears to be growing.



The standard-battery version of the pickup will offer 426 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, as well as a range of 230 miles per manufacturer estimate. The longer-range version of the truck will dial that up to 300 miles and 563 hp. Repeat buyers of the F-150 will also be able to count on a 10,000-pound maximum towing rating, along with 2000-pound maximum payload. So it won't be a purely "lifestyle" offering meant for glamping, unlike some competitors aimed at deep-pocketed early adopters.

However, the true potential of the F-150 Lightning perhaps goes beyond pickup trucks, given its status as a best-selling vehicle stateside for decades. The F-150 Lightning could well be the most important electric vehicle launch of this decade in any segment, designed to appeal to truck buyers rather than EV buyers.

The Ford F-150 Raptor R won't arrive until late 2022, according to sources familiar with the Blue Oval's production schedule tell Ford Authority. The automaker hadn't previously said when the hotter pickup was arriving in 2022.

The Raptor R will likely adopt Ford's Predator supercharged 5.2-liter V8 from the Mustang Shelby GT500. In that application, the mill makes 760 hp (567 kW). In the R, there are rumors of it having 725 hp (540 kW) to 750 hp (560 kW).

Other mechanical upgrades reportedly include an updated suspension, like larger trailing arms. A different wheel and tire package is also among the improvements.

Judging by spy shots, the Raptor R doesn't look significantly different than the standard Raptor. The camouflage in spy shots points to the possibility of a new hood and revisions to the rear fenders. While not yet visible in photos, a revised grille is reportedly part of the upgrades, too.

Ford only began taking orders for the standard 2021 Raptor in June. Prices start at $64,145 (plus a $1,695 destination and handling charge). It comes with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 making 450 hp (336 kW) and 510 pound-feet (691 Newton-meters) of torque. To make the engine sound meaner, there are now equal-length exhaust pipes with a trombone loop and active valves. There are four sound modes: Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja.

The updated model can handle bumps with a five-link rear suspension, long trailing arms, and a Panhard rod. The shocks are from Fox with 3.1-inch bodies and 24-inch coil springs. The layout offers 14.0 inches of suspension travel in front and 15.0 inches at the back.

The Raptor has a slightly different look with a new hood, fascia, and slightly revised tailgate Inside, buyers get orange accents, carbon fiber trim, and Mustang Shelby GT500-sourced paddle shifters.

Ford Performance has just unveiled a new supercharger package for the 2021 F-150 pickup truck.

This new supercharger has been designed for F-150 models installed with the latest variant of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8. It has been designed specifically to work with the cylinder deactivation technology of the engine and lifts grunt up to 700 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.

Ford Authority recently had the opportunity to take a look at the supercharger during SEMA and notes that it will be sold as a kit with an intercooler, air inlet, and all other required hardware, except for an intake and exhaust. The kit also comes with a 3-year/30,000-mile warranty when installed by a Ford dealership. It is also 50-state CARB legal.

Ford Performance will start to take orders for the supercharger kit before the end of the year. Pricing details haven’t been confirmed but the supercharger kit available for the 2020 F-150 starts at $7,500, while installation adds around $2,000-$3,000, Ford Authority notes.

Of course, the Ford F-150 isn’t available exclusively with the Coyote V8. The new truck can also be purchased with a 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 self-charging hybrid that pumps out 430 hp and 570 lb-ft (773 Nm) of torque, allowing it to travel up to 750 miles (1,207 km) on a tank of gas. Other engines include a 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6, 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6.

As Ford flexes into the EV market harder than ever before, they have to cap reservations to ensure they can meet demand. Despite that, their CEO says that they're working harder than ever due to incredible demand.
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In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, told Jim Cramer of Mad Money fame that "our [production] capacity is about half of what the demand is." That was backed up today when Ford stopped accepting pre-orders for the upcoming F-150 Lightning.

As the company has picked up nearly 200,000 of the $100 pre-order reservations, they've decided to shift focus to "order bank opening".

In a statement found on the F-150 Lightning reservation website, Ford said, "As we prepare to make history together, we’ve closed reservations so we can start accepting orders. Sign up for updates and get exciting news on the electric revolution. We can’t wait to get you behind the wheel of an F-150 Lightning truck."

To do that, Farley says that the brand has a team dedicated to increasing production dramatically. “We have a dedicated team right now just doing one thing: finding a way to double our capacity by finding batteries, whatever it takes, to double our capacity of Lightning,” he told Cramer.

Of course, he also said that the Mustang Mach-E could use a doubling of production as well. That makes for a tough year ahead as the team tries to catch up. If Ford can manage anywhere close to double its current production rates, it might seize the EV truck market completely.

While Rivian beat everyone to market and the Hummer EV is on schedule to beat Ford, it's the Lightning that will be the most accessible. Its Pro trim level is slated to cost just $40,000. The Rivian R1T starts at $67,000 while the Hummer sits above six digits.

Ford has confirmed the usable battery capacities for the two packs that will be available in the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. Car and Driver reports the first will be a Standard Range unit with 98.0-kWh of usable juice. Coming standard on the two of the three trims, XLT and Lariat, it will power two motors turning both axles and producing a combined 426 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. Ford estimates range for this battery to be 230 miles. Charging times from 15% of battery charge to full will range from 14 hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet using Ford's 32-amp Mobile Power Cord, to 10 hours when using Ford's 80-amp Charge Station Pro plugged into a 240-volt outlet. The refill from 15% to 80% takes 44 minutes when plugged into a 150-kW DC fast charger.

The Extended Range pack will be optional on the XLT and Lariat trims, standard on the third, uppermost Platinum trim. According to Ford, this unit will house 131-kWh of usable energy. What we've heard so far is that it will power the F-150 Lightning to an estimated 300 miles of range, but only when specced on the XLT and Lariat. Something going on with the Platinum trim could shave 20 or so miles off that range estimate; Ford wouldn't confirm such to C/D. This larger battery also turns two motors that turn both axles with a combined 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque.

There isn't a straight comparison to be made yet among electric pickups. The Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer pickups have just launched, but both are luxury fare with different missions to the meat-and-three-veg F-150. The entry-level Hummer EV2, not due until 2024, is predicted to start at $79,995, make a combined 625 horsepower, and go 250 miles. That's about $10,000 more than the roughly $70,000 MSRP of the top-tier F-150 Lightning Platinum. The Lightning will start at about $40,000 before incentives. The current entry-level Rivian R1T with the Large 135-kWh battery pack currently starts at $67,500, its four motors spooling out a combined 835 horsepower and 915 pound-feet of torque, and is good for an EPA-estimated 314 miles of range. Still, the electric Chevrolet Silverado penciled in for 2023 and the electric Ram pickup in 2024 are the ones we need to eye up.

The F-150 Lightning order books are said to open next month, giving paid-up reservation holders a chance to configure their workhorses. First deliveries are scheduled for the middle of next year.

Hot on the heels of announcing that it will double its production target for the 2022 F-150 Lighting, Ford has pushed the new electric pickup's configuration tool live for the general public to play around with. It showcases everything from the work-spec Pro model all the way on up to the Platinum.

From our brief time fiddling with the configurator, we've found it somewhat sparsely populated. We expect that will improve as Ford gets closer to delivering the first retail units in 2022. If you'd like to explore the packaging information and options more thoroughly, F150gen14.com has PDF copies available for your perusal.

That said, checking a bunch of boxes on a Platinum model will still get you precariously close to six-figure territory. The $100,000 F-150 may not exist just yet, but we're certainly creeping close to that particular bogey. The configurator details both the standard-range and extended-range battery packs, with the extended-range pack optional on the two lower trims (for $19,500 and $10,000, respectively) and included on the Platinum. The standard-range version makes 426 horsepower, while the extended-range model boasts 563 hp; both have 775 pound-feet of torque. For the larger-battery version, Ford estimates a 0–60 time in the mid-4-second range.

The first wave of reservation holders will be able to finalize their 2022 Lightning orders starting Thursday, Ford said, with later reservation windows opening as each wave secures its orders. Don't have a reservation? Dealers will inevitably end up with unsold units, but don't count on being able to custom-order a Lightning any earlier than the 2023 model year. It could be even longer if demand continues at this pace.

After numerous reports of Ford dealers taking advantage of the high demand for the F-150 Lightning and demanding customers pay as much as $30,000 more to receive their electric truck at launch, the automaker has taken steps to try and avoid customers paying more than they have to.

In a bulletin sent to dealerships this morning from Andrew Frick, Vice President of Sales, US & Canada, Ford says they have been made aware of a “limited number of dealerships interacting with customers in a manner that is negatively impacting customer satisfaction and damaging to the Ford Motor Company brand and Dealer Body reputation.”

Frick explains this bad behaviour includes demanding extra payments from customers who have already made a reservation for the Lightning.

As a result, if they continue to demand extra payments the offending dealerships could lose their allocation of F-150 Lightning trucks for all of the 2022 model year production.

Another step the automaker has taken is to suggest dealers add a clause to purchase contracts that prevents buyers from flipping their electric trucks within the first year of ownership.

The bulletin says Ford is only “offering support” for such a clause, but is not demanding it be included.

Ford began officially taking orders for the F-150 Lightning on Thursday. Prices starts as low as $39,974 for the Pro variant, up to $90,874 for the Platinum.

You can see a full copy of the bulletin below, which was first posted to the F150Gen14 forum this morning.

The Ford F-Series has reached a remarkable milestone as the 40 millionth pickup has been built for American consumers.

The 2022 F-150 Tremor rolled off the assembly line at the Dearborn Truck Plant earlier today and the Iconic Silver pickup will soon be headed to a customer in Texas. While it’s a bit surprising that Ford isn’t keeping the truck, the automaker noted it’s going to “Texas to get to work, because that’s what Ford trucks do.”

The achievement comes 75 years after the first-generation F-Series pickups went into production in 1947. That seems like a long time, but doing the math reveals Ford has been making an average of 533,333 F-Series annually for the American market. Of course, that’s an overly simplistic view of things as the F-Series didn’t become America’s best-selling truck until 1977.

The company has held onto that title for a remarkable 45 years and has added to it as the F-Series has gone onto become America’s best-selling vehicle altogether. As Ford noted earlier this month, the F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 40 years in a row and they kept that tradition alive by selling 726,004 of them in the United States last year. That put Ford 156,616 units ahead of Ram, which staged an upset against the Chevrolet Silverado.

Ford is hoping that trend continues with new additions such as the F-150 Lightning and F-150 Raptor R. They’ll appeal to very different consumers as one’s electric while the other is a V8-powered behemoth.

We already knew the V8-powered Ford F-150 Raptor R would arrive sometime in 2022. But if a new report is to be believed, we might have a slightly more accurate timeframe as to when it'll happen.

Citing "sources familiar with the matter," Ford Authority is reporting that order books on the higher-performing F-150 Raptor R will open up this fall. If true, this would likely mean an official reveal sometime shortly before then. It also means that interested buyers have about seven to nine months to get their financial ducks in a row and/or get friendly with their local Ford dealership so there aren't any "problems" when it comes to allocation time. When I reached out to Ford for comment, a spokesperson replied, "We have not shared timing for Raptor R order bank opening."

So, until Ford can officially confirm, this remains speculation. Other rumored Raptor R details have included the presence of a V8 engine, specifically the 760-horsepower, 5.2-liter supercharged cross plane-crank Predator motor out of the Mustang GT500. Ford Authority alleges that this motor will be detuned slightly to 750 hp for the Raptor R. Regardless, this V8-powered Raptor would very likely one-up the 702-hp, Hellcat-powered Ram TRX.

For reference, the existing, non-R F-150 Raptor uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 spitting out 450 hp and 510 pound-feet of torque. It also rides on next-gen, 3.1-inch-diameter Fox shocks that give it 14 and 15 inches of suspension travel front and rear. The Raptor's thick 37-inch tires also do not hurt it in the off-roadability department.

Not many concrete details are known about the forthcoming Raptor R, though, other than the fact that it is indeed real, will be coming sometime this year, will presumably be a capital-R racier version of the F-150 Raptor, and—despite what one previous report alleged—will be "100 percent street legal."

The long-awaited EPA range and efficiency numbers for the upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup finally emerged, but not yet on the EPA's website, but via Monroney Stickers, shared on f150gen14.com forum. We assume that they are true.

The manufacturer estimated that the two battery versions will offer 230 miles (Standard Range battery) or 300-320 miles (Extended Range battery) of EPA range.

According to four Monroney Stickers, shown for Pro (SR and ER), Lariat (ER) and Platinum (ER) versions, Ford achieved the 230-mile target for the SR and beat the ER target by 20 miles, achieving 320 miles.

• Pro 18"
  (SR): 230 miles (370 km)
  (ER - fleets): 320 miles (515 km)
• XLT
  (SR; 18"): N/A (potentially the same as Pro SR)
  (ER; 20"): N/A (potentially the same as Lariat ER)
• Lariat 20"
  (SR): N/A (potentially the same as Pro SR)
  (ER): 320 miles (515 km)
• Platinum 22"
  (ER): 300 miles (483 km)

Some of the versions (XLT SR/ER and Lariat SR with 20" wheels) are not yet listed on the forum.

The difference between the Platinum ER and Lariat ER, of 20 miles, is actually not that big, considering bigger wheels and slightly higher weight (see comprehensive specs here).

Basic specs
Model Drive Battery
(usable)
(kWh) EPA
Range 2022 Ford F-150 Pro SR 18" AWD 98 230 mi
(370 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Pro ER (fleets) 18" AWD 131 320 mi
(515 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT SR 18" AWD 98 230 mi*
(370 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT ER 20" AWD 131 320 mi*
(515 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat SR 20" AWD 98 230 mi*
(370 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat ER 20" AWD 131 320 mi
(515 km) 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum ER 22" AWD 131 300 mi
(483 km)* estimated/unofficial values

An interesting thing is that the ER battery versions (aside from Platinum) get 320 miles, compared to 314 miles of Rivian R1T.

Efficiency

Now let's take a look at the efficiency numbers of the four listed versions. Interestingly, no big difference between the Pro SR and ER versions.

2022 Ford F-150 Pro SR 18"

2022 Ford F-150 Pro SR 18" ::
EPA Range rating by InsideEVs Combined
City Highway 230 mi (370 km)
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined City/Highway 68 MPGe: 496 Wh/mi (308 Wh/km)

2022 Ford F-150 Pro ER (fleets) 18"

2022 Ford F-150 Pro ER (fleets) 18" ::
EPA Range rating by InsideEVs Combined
City/Highway 320 mi (515 km)
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined City/Highway 70 MPGe: 481 Wh/mi (299 Wh/km)

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat ER 20"

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat ER 20" ::
EPA Range rating by InsideEVs Combined
City/Highway 320 mi (515 km)
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined City/Highway 70 MPGe: 481 Wh/mi (299 Wh/km)

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum ER 22"

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum ER 22" ::
EPA Range rating by InsideEVs Combined
City/Highway 300 mi (483 km)
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined City/Highway 66 MPGe: 511 Wh/mi (317 Wh/km)

The results are very similar to the Rivian R1T (below), which has a smaller battery and is a smaller vehicle (between full-size and mid-size). We guess that the reason might be the quad motor powertrain, a bit more complex than the dual motor in the Ford F-150 Lightning:

2022 Rivian R1T (QM, Large pack, 21") ::
EPA Range rating by InsideEVs
Combined
City/Highway 314 mi (505 km)
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined City/Highway 70 MPGe: 481 Wh/mi (299 Wh/km)


Prices of the Ford F-150 Lightning:

Model Base Price Dest. Charge Tax Credit Effective Price
2022 Ford F-150 Pro SR 18" $39,974 +$1,695 $7,500 $34,169
2022 Ford F-150 Pro ER (fleets) 18" $49,974 +$1,695 $7,500 $44,169
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT SR 18" $52,974 +$1,695 $7,500 $47,169
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT ER 20" $72,474 +$1,695 $7,500 $66,669
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat SR 20" $67,474 +$1,695 $7,500 $61,669
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat ER 20" $77,474 +$1,695 $7,500 $71,669
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum ER 22" $90,874 +$1,695 $7,500 $85,069

Ford introduced the F-150 Rattler, a distinctive, rugged, entry-level addition to its 2023 F-150 lineup for adventure-seeking customers looking for a stylish truck with standard four-wheel drive for exceptional off-road capability.

"Our new F-150 Rattler offers aspiring adventurers an off-road option with expressive looks and capability in one package," said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. "This truck builds off the F-150 off-road legacy while allowing us to introduce new customers to the right blend of styling and value in the F-150 lineup."

The Ford F-150 Rattler package is built off the XL series, with FX4 content featuring skid plates to help ensure Built Ford Tough protection for a confident off-road experience, electronic rear-locking differential for enhanced traction, hill descent control for precision throttle and braking on steep descents, and specially tuned off-road shock absorbers for increased stability over tough terrain. In addition, F-150 Rattler features rugged all-terrain tires for versatility and capability.

Distinctive looks reflect the capabilities of the Ford F-150 Rattler package, with a dual exhaust system that combines aggressive styling with a bold sound, plus painted 18-inch aluminum wheels that add to the truck's solid, sporty stance. F-150 Rattler badging on the fender vents and rattlesnake-inspired graphics amplify its unmistakable appearance.

Onyx seats featuring burnished bronze accents and impeccable stitching match the trim on the instrument panel to create a unique interior in keeping with the desert-inspired theme of the new F-150 Rattler. Exterior colors include Oxford White, Avalanche, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, Antimatter Blue, Stone Gray, Agate Black and Rapid Red TriCoat.

The 2023 F-150 Rattler goes on sale in fall 2022.